BMW R65 – Hook Motors & Totti Motori

Solid. If I was going to use one word to describe the BMW R series bikes built in the 80’s, that is the word I would use. From all angles you can see it’s packing some bulk, even from the rear, with it’s horizontal heads sticking out wide. As today’s feature bike from Hook Motors shows, they also make a solid base for a scrambler type build, it’s aesthetic giving the idea that if you can’t find a way around, you could just wind on the throttle and punch your way through. Fat offroad tyres, exhaust & handlebars all give the effect of something you could take to the trails on a Sunday, and be able to ride it home afterwards with little issue. Or in the words of Hook Motors “Designed for hill or dirt roads alike, this special motorcycle feels light and manageable. This bike is meant to be ridden hard”. Amen to that.

In their latest collaboration with Totti Motori, the midsize Beemer bike has been put through the wringer, with few components coming through untouched. To give the Teutonic powerplant some boost, the engine has been rebuilt, with ‘more punch than the original offering’. A scrambler style exhaust has been fashioned up, exclusively for this bike, with mucho black pipewrap used, ending in two Thruxton style silencers. The original electrical has been replaced with a full custom harness to suit the aesthetic mods, and to neaten up the look of the build.

As mentioned, the bike has been touched up majorly, but the thought put into the work involved is pretty impressive. The fuel tank has been split in half, broken up into two different compartments, one for fuel, the other side containing electrical componentry and the brake hydraulic arrangement. This was done to ‘allow Hook to have a very clean motorcycle’. The seat is a Roberto Totti special, perched above the custom rear frame. Both front and rear fenders have been specially made for this build, keeping with the BMW lines, while adding to the dirtbike character of the BMW.

This bike is a unique take on a classic BMW, the scrambler styling meaning extra effort like running the custom exhaust, but you have to agree that it is worth it in the end. A mix of the original steadfast German styling, with unique build aspects, make for a bike that you can admire, yet ride like Hook & Roberto Totti intend it to be ridden. This can be seen in the choice to run the original BMW rims, but wrap them in Continental Enduro rubber. A solid base for a solid build, it shows what can happen when you think outside the box.

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Me like! It’s nice, chunky and it seems like you could take it just about anywhere. Great job.

arnold

You force me to choose between Rubens, Renoir, Annwell and others in imagery. To me this “kraut” looks very svelte and desirable.ald

cwright856

Man, I love the look of this bike, but hearing about the split tank is such a bummer. Who wants to run out of fuel on the trail? For an adventure themed bike, that perplexes me.

AMDcb500

agreed. at least do one of those Jumbo BMW tanks if you are going to split it. would like to see some details/build shots of the tank split. and see what the electronics side looks like when open/how it opens.

cwright856

Yeah, doesn’t the hoske tank have a metal compartment on top of the tank for storage? How about that for the electrical and brake fluid?

Greg Goes Fast

That’s a stock Harley Davidson tank. They come as separate pieces, with a trim piece for instruments running down the center….this guy always gets things wrong.

adam

some of the BMW R65 tanks also had a tool box compartment in the top of the tank. Take a look at the microfiche. I’ve never seen one in person, it may not have ever made it to the US?

funkdoc

From a distance this bike looks to have the proportions nailed. But to separate the bike from any other build I firmly believe the beauty is in the details. These pictures do not show my those things. It seems that the frame is bare metal. The welds do not look refined, especially near the rear shock mounts. Zip ties to hold the wiring in place is a bit of a disappointment. The brown Brooks tool kit seems like an after thought, from the color to the location. And I could imagine the metal buckle on that Brooks tool kit getting quite hot from the exhaust. Also the exhaust near the seat seems like it would get quite uncomfortable during a fun ride. I admire the build but show me more then just studio pictures. With the right lighting and the right person taking the photos you can really alter the story.

Davidabl2

..that Brooks bag is a “man purse” at least mounted as it is on this bike.

Cool 4th Reich dirt meister. Love the stance and the agressive tires. And the traditional BMW livery gives the impression of a guy wearing a tuxedo with track shoes.

Mike B

I think it’s a great looking bike. I’m just not sold on the concept of a 500+lb. “dirt bike.” If it was to be taken off road, it could be a real handful for a lighter rider like myself.

Davidabl2

It appears to be what was called a “road scrambler” back in the day,i.e. basically a streetbike styled as a scrambler/Enduro. Despite the tires which really look the business as off road tires, the lack of any sort of protection for the cylinder heads or a bash plate under the bottom of the cases kinda gives it away as a “road scrambler.” The front fender close to the tire is another clue. This is not to say that being a “street Scrambler is a bad thing,

The use of the H.-D. tanks in trad BMW livery is a brilliant idea.

And I’ll say it again: that Brooks bag is a “man purse” Especially mounted as it is on this bike.

davmo

Was looking at this bike yesterday and noticed the same issues you mentioned, went so far as to write and then delete them, as the interweb seems populated by those ready to jump on anyone with less than a hurrah for the bike. I suppose this post will get me some grief now, but thanks for saying what is obvious to some of us. You only have to see one crankcase busted by an off-road rock to look at this design as unfinished. The ground clearance is adequate for non-paved roads, but would be questionable for “off-roading” That front fender needs to be moved up for even an unpaved road, and a thicker saddle would be needed as well. The lines of the bike are nice, kudos for even attempting to make it into a dual purpose bike.

arnold

The Adventure bike segment never really caught on, in my opinion. My epiphany with the type came with the Buell Ulysses. Simply, why do I want a hundred horsepower scooter, with hard bags available, to ride off road.
I would put more than my eye out with it. Still call it enduro, dualsport, scrambler, adventure, It’s the styling I like, and the possibilities. The limitations are obvious now, but retreating to my 14 year old self, they are the coolest thing on two wheels and I’ll run that paper route and shovel that sheep dip until I have enough money to get one.

Zundap

Nice headlight & bars. ..Z

EasternBlocParty

Does anybody know what kind bars those are? I’ve been hunting around for some lower, wider bars for a sidecar rig. Think vintage R60/2 or even R71 bars. Anybody know where to get them?

itsmefool

Me like! It’s nice, chunky and it seems like you could take it just about anywhere. Great job.

arnold

You force me to choose between Rubens, Renoir, Annwell and others in imagery. To me this “kraut” looks very svelte and desirable.ald

cwright856

Man, I love the look of this bike, but hearing about the split tank is such a bummer. Who wants to run out of fuel on the trail? For an adventure themed bike, that perplexes me.

AMDcb500

agreed. at least do one of those Jumbo BMW tanks if you are going to split it. would like to see some details/build shots of the tank split. and see what the electronics side looks like when open/how it opens.

cwright856

Yeah, doesn’t the hoske tank have a metal compartment on top of the tank for storage? How about that for the electrical and brake fluid?

Greg Goes Fast

That’s a stock Harley Davidson tank. They come as separate pieces, with a trim piece for instruments running down the center….this guy always gets things wrong.

adam

some of the BMW R65 tanks also had a tool box compartment in the top of the tank. Take a look at the microfiche. I’ve never seen one in person, it may not have ever made it to the US?

funkdoc

From a distance this bike looks to have the proportions nailed. But to separate the bike from any other build I firmly believe the beauty is in the details. These pictures do not show my those things. It seems that the frame is bare metal. The welds do not look refined, especially near the rear shock mounts. Zip ties to hold the wiring in place is a bit of a disappointment. The brown Brooks tool kit seems like an after thought, from the color to the location. And I could imagine the metal buckle on that Brooks tool kit getting quite hot from the exhaust. Also the exhaust near the seat seems like it would get quite uncomfortable during a fun ride. I admire the build but show me more then just studio pictures. With the right lighting and the right person taking the photos you can really alter the story.

Davidabl2

..that Brooks bag is a “man purse” at least mounted as it is on this bike.

Cool 4th Reich dirt meister. Love the stance and the agressive tires. And the traditional BMW livery gives the impression of a guy wearing a tuxedo with track shoes.

Mike B

I think it’s a great looking bike. I’m just not sold on the concept of a 500+lb. “dirt bike.” If it was to be taken off road, it could be a real handful for a lighter rider like myself.

Davidabl2

It appears to be what was called a “road scrambler” back in the day,i.e. basically a streetbike styled as a scrambler/Enduro. Despite the tires which really look the business as off road tires, the lack of any sort of protection for the cylinder heads or a bash plate under the bottom of the cases kinda gives it away as a “road scrambler.” The front fender close to the tire is another clue. This is not to say that being a “street Scrambler is a bad thing,

The use of the H.-D. tanks in trad BMW livery is a brilliant idea.

And I’ll say it again: that Brooks bag is a “man purse” Especially mounted as it is on this bike.

davmo

Was looking at this bike yesterday and noticed the same issues you mentioned, went so far as to write and then delete them, as the interweb seems populated by those ready to jump on anyone with less than a hurrah for the bike. I suppose this post will get me some grief now, but thanks for saying what is obvious to some of us. You only have to see one crankcase busted by an off-road rock to look at this design as unfinished. The ground clearance is adequate for non-paved roads, but would be questionable for “off-roading” That front fender needs to be moved up for even an unpaved road, and a thicker saddle would be needed as well. The lines of the bike are nice, kudos for even attempting to make it into a dual purpose bike.

arnold

The Adventure bike segment never really caught on, in my opinion. My epiphany with the type came with the Buell Ulysses. Simply, why do I want a hundred horsepower scooter, with hard bags available, to ride off road.
I would put more than my eye out with it. Still call it enduro, dualsport, scrambler, adventure, It’s the styling I like, and the possibilities. The limitations are obvious now, but retreating to my 14 year old self, they are the coolest thing on two wheels and I’ll run that paper route and shovel that sheep dip until I have enough money to get one.

Zundap

Nice headlight & bars. ..Z

EasternBlocParty

Does anybody know what kind bars those are? I’ve been hunting around for some lower, wider bars for a sidecar rig. Think vintage R60/2 or even R71 bars. Anybody know where to get them?